Your very interesting number for November reminds me to say, with regard to Orchids, that my experience coincides in many respects with that of your correspondent "Epiphyte." Orchids here, however, seem to come into bloom earlier than they do in more northern places.

Phalaenopsis Esmeralda has been in bloom with me since June, and promises to remain so all winter. P. Schilleriana comes in February and remains in bloom until May. P. amabilis and roseum will bloom all the time, if I let them; but it weakens a plant too much, as it must be very strong to make leaves and bloom at the same time. I have had Laelia albida on crockery blocks for two years, without any sphagnum or anything else, with five and six breaks, and they have been in the open air, partially shaded, from May to October. I have been told often during summer that I would lose them, but I have a way of my own of doing some things. They make a better show than anything I grow from December to February, blooming with Chysis bractescens and C. laevis and Coryanthes macrantha. Ninety days of 900 is a little too much for Cattleyas, but we get some flowers once in awhile. The same will apply to Odontoglossums and Epidendrums. With Oncidiums, Saccolabiums and Vandas we do much better.

But the crowning glory of all the flowers on this place the past season was the Victoria regia. The seed was procured from Mr. Sturtevant, at Bor-dentown, N. J. I started the seed on March 16th, and the plant was fit to set out about June 1st; but the season was cold here and 1 did not think the water warm enough until the last week in June. On October 1st the largest leaf measured 5 feet "7½ inches - inside the ring - in diameter, but the plant did not have half a show. The pond is only about 30 feet in diameter, and contained also two plants of Nymphaea Devoniensis, one each of N. dentata, scutifolia and coerulea, besides an Egyptian Lotus - Nelumbium speciosum - as well as Trapa nutans, Limnocharis Humboldtii, Pontederia crassipes, and some other things. The first flower opened October 4th, and it perfumed the atmosphere around the whole block; and if one may be allowed to judge from appearances and the expressions of pleasure, between two and three hundred people were very much delighted thereby. The second flower came five days afterwards. At the suggestion of a gentleman it was measured, and was found to be exactly 12 inches in diameter.

It is sometimes difficult to get a good measurement, as the petals often reflex as fast as they open.

By the way, there is something about this flower that I have never seen mentioned in print, although I have read many descriptions of it. The flower is a different thing altogether the second night from what it is the first. The first night three rows of snowy petals open and one row remains closed. These latter open the second night, are streaked with red and expose the crown, which is not visible the first night. I may add, that after the plant was put into the pond it had no artificial heat whatever.

One writing from here is supposed to have something to say about the Exposition. Well, to make it short, it is going to be the biggest thing I ever saw - and I saw the Centennial. The department that will have most interest for us is, to all appearances, in good hands; and I hope to see all my friends here this winter. Gardener to Prof. Richardson, New Orleans, La.